A horizontal banner featuring a scatter of pink hearts on the left side, two overlapping pink hearts in the center, and a green 4-H four-leaf clover logo on the right, all on a plain white background.

February 2026
4-H Newsletter

Important Dates

March 1

San Juan County 4-H Animal Project Enrollment Deadline. 4-H members wishing to exhibit an animal at the San Juan County Fair must be enrolled in 4-H Online by this date.

Upcoming Events

Sign Up Now for the Youth Track at the Ag Summit

Registration is now open for the 2026 San Juan Islands Ag Summit. This year we have an exciting Youth Track planned, for only $30.00 you will get a full day of hands on learning. Registration is through 4-H online but you don’t need to be a 4-H member to participate, tell your friends!

Tentative Schedule

  • 8:45 – 9:15 – Check-in Opens
  • 9:15 – 9:30 – Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
  • 9:30 – 10:30 – Kinetic Cultivation
  • 10:30 – 11:00 – Break
  • 11:00 – 12:00 – Session 1 
  • 12:00 – 12:45 – Lunch (provided)
  • 12:45 – 1:00 – Break
  • 1:00 – 1:45 – Session 2
  • 1:45 – 2:00 – Break
  • 2:00 – 2:45 – Session 3
  • 2:45 – 3:00 – Break
  • 3:00 – 3:45 – Session 4
  • 3:45 – 4:00 – Break
  • 4:00 – 4:45 – Session 5
  • 4:45 – 5:15 – Closing and Integration as a Group

Schedule subject to change – finalized version coming soon

More Information
Register for the Youth Track via 4-H Online
Promotional graphic for the 2026 San Juan Ag Summit Youth Track. Two children in sun hats plant a seedling in a field. Logos for WSU Extension and San Juan County 4-H are at the bottom.

Workshop Details

  • Milk Jug Seed Starting Partner: SJC Master Gardeners Youth will learn the fundamentals of season extension and sustainable gardening by repurposing milk jugs into miniature greenhouses.
  • The Miracle of Life: Incubation & Chick Husbandry Partner: 4-H Leaders This session explores the avian life cycle through live chick hatching.
  • Worm Bins: Composting at Home Partner: Leslie Neal (Master Gardener & 4-H Leader) A deep dive into vermicomposting and soil health.
  • Farmer Stories & Community Gratitude Partner: Local SJC Farmer A local producer will share insights into the unique rewards and challenges of farming in the San Juans.
  • 5th work shop information coming soon

Master Gardener Native Plant Sale Pre-Order – Now Open!

Master Gardener 2026 Native Plant Sale

The eagerly awaited 2026 Native Plant Sale officially launches online at 8:00 AM on January 24, offering island residents a wide array of locally native plants in the form of bare-root plants, seedlings and plugs. These plants beautify landscapes while supporting healthy ecosystems. ​Orders will be available for pickup on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at convenient locations on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. Online ordering begins January 24 and will remain open through March 9, 2026—or until plants are sold out. All sales are first-come, first-served, and early ordering is encouraged. Full details and ordering information can be found at Master Gardener Foundation’s Webpage.

Saturday, March 14th Pick-up

Friday Harbor – Marie Boe Building

Lopez – Sunset Builders

Orcas – Orcas Grange

Banner for the Master Gardener Foundation of San Juan County 2026 Native Plant Sale, featuring a close-up background of delicate pink and white bell-shaped flowers and glossy green leaves.
Master Gardener logo flower design

WSU 4-H Scholarship Applications – Open Now!

Hey 12th graders! The 4-H Scholarship application is now live!

Check out our website for requirements and details on how to apply.

Applications must be submitted in 4-H Online by March 15th. Don’t wait!

Complete Scholarship Application

Promotional graphic for the 4-H Scholarship Application. The text states that applications are open through March 15th and provides a link and QR code to apply. The 4-H clover and WSU Cougar logos are displayed at the bottom on a dark green background.

Save the Date – April 10 & 11th 2026

The annual Whatcom County Youth Fair appears to be back for 2026! Save the dates of April 10 & 11 for this amazing educational opportunity. Registration is set to go live on February 15th. Educational Scholarship funds will be available through the San Juan County 4-H Leaders Council.

A promotional banner for the Whatcom County Youth Fair features a central circular logo with a blue ribbon, evergreen trees, and water, stating "EST 1989". Surrounding the logo are four black-and-white photos of animals: goats, a cow in a halter, sheep, and a bulldog licking its nose. The text on the banner reads, "WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!" and "APRIL 10-11, 2026".

Save the Date – April 25 2026 – SJC Youth Fair

The 2nd Annual San Juan County 4-H Youth Fair is scheduled for April 25, 2026 at the San Juan County Fairgrounds from 9:00 – 2:00.

The tentative schedule for this year is:

  • 9:00 a.m. Judging Contest Clinic
    • Break
  • 10:15 a.m. STEM Activity
  • 11:30 a.m. Lunch Provided
  • Noon Public Presentation & Demonstration Contest
    • During this time we will also host:
      • Q&A with Clinton
      • Educational Poster Making Workshop
An image promoting the San Juan County 4-H Youth Fair on April 25th, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the SJC Fairgrounds. The flyer features the green 4-H clover logo and a photo of a young boy holding a blue ribbon next to his educational poster titled "How to Raise Hedgehogs."

Save the Date – Showmanship Clinic & Spring Weigh-In

The Livestock Market Animal Auction Committee is happy to share that our annual Showmanship Clinic and Spring Weigh-In will be held on May 30, 2026 this year.

The Schedule Includes:

  • Showmanship Clinics For:
    • Livestock (Cattle, Sheep, Goat & Hogs)
    • Small Animal (Poultry, Rabbit & Cavy)
  • A presentation from Kings Market/Marketplace on careers in butchering
  • Official early Weigh in for fair auction animals – weights and ear tags

All 4-H members and their families are welcome!

More details to come including a registration link. Livestock member participation is not required but is highly encouraged for the weigh-in specifically.

Save the Date flyer for the San Juan County 4-H Livestock Weigh-In & Showmanship Clinic, May 30, 2026. Includes a schedule for animal clinics, weigh-ins, and a career presentation. Featuring WSU Extension and 4-H branding.

If you’d like to contribute anything for the monthly 4-H newsletter, please contact Clinton by email or phone.